Who's The Priority?

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Specializes in LTC,Home health, Med/Surg.

I know this is going to sound really easy to you all, but in my interview today my mind went blank.... i have been a "desk" nurse since i got out of school and passed boards in Jan. not a good idea for a new grad. i want med/surg to sharpen skills and stay ahead. here's the question . what if you are alone on the floor with 2 cna's when the pacu nurse brings a pt over, at the same time a pt pulls out his trach, and another patient had a K level of 7.3..........who first and why...... i think i got this wrong. just curious what you all think......

thanx

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Specializes in ER, OR, Cardiac ICU.

ABCs, always and forever.

Trach dude could die very shortly without his airway- manage the airway first. The rest need attention, but not the "stop what you are doing NOW" sort of attention.

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Specializes in Pediatrics (Burn ICU, CVICU).
I know this is going to sound really easy to you all, but in my interview today my mind went blank.... i have been a "desk" nurse since i got out of school and passed boards in Jan. not a good idea for a new grad. i want med/surg to sharpen skills and stay ahead. here's the question . what if you are alone on the floor with 2 cna's when the pacu nurse brings a pt over, at the same time a pt pulls out his trach, and another patient had a K level of 7.3..........who first and why...... i think i got this wrong. just curious what you all think......

thanx

The person who pulled out his trach. Airway first...

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ABC is the golden rule.

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Specializes in ICU, ED, Transport, Home Care, Mgmnt.

Yeah, what they said! FYI you should never be the only licensed nurse assigned to a unit, not safe. By the way, you don't let the PACU nurse go, she can stay with her patient until you can take over, the K won't be reduced rapidly, it needs priority but not over someone's airway.

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Airway should always be the first!!!

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Specializes in LTC,Home health, Med/Surg.

I got it wrong and i can't believe i did that. abc's are so important in nursing. it's like i had a brain freeze or something. they must think i'm the biggest idiot to walk thru the door. i really wanted that job too. :trout:

thanks everyone...

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Specializes in NICU, Psych, Education.

Did you explain yourself? That's a tough scenario for someone to just throw at you on the spot. If you gave your rationale for why you chose the answer that you did, they might see that at least you were trying to employ critical thinking. Bottom line: I don't think all hope is lost. Good luck to you.

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Specializes in LTC,Home health, Med/Surg.

thanks everyone for your replies. I spoke HR today and they offered me the position!:monkeydance: i'm so psyched! i can't wait to begin my preceptorship...med/surg here i come!!!!!!!!!

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Specializes in Hospital, med-surg, hospice.

Congradulations!!:balloons:

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Specializes in cardiac med-surg.

yeah! good for you. lots of luck!

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Specializes in psych,emergency,telemetry,home health.

it's always airway which comes first although we sometimes tend to be confused if you see other cases which seem to require immediate attention.congratulations and goodluck!

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